News
Two from West Virginia among 47 CU Professionals Earning CUDE Designation in Wisconsin — 6/6/16
CU Next Scholarships Promote History and Philosophy to New Generation
Forty-seven credit union professionals, including two West Virginia credit union representatives recently became certified Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after being guided by dedicated program facilitators and mentors through the intensive Credit Union Development Education (DE) Training from the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF). The DE training was held May 18-25, 2016 at the Lowell Center on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Both Rachael Graham, Bayer Heritage FCU, and Crystal Rocchio, Long Reach FCU were recipients of League Designated Fund full tuition scholarships as part of the CU Next project for young credit union professionals in West Virginia. A total of six scholarships have been awarded to young professionals since the program was established by the League in 2013.
“DE has changed my life for the better!” stated Bayer’s Rachael Graham upon returning from the training. “After the longest, shortest week of my life, I was so excited to bring home my experiences to make a difference within my credit union! DE was an indescribable experience, and it rates within the top five of my life. I would recommend ANYONE who wants to be involved in this credit union movement to attend,” she added.
“This experience has been incredible in so many ways. I am exploding with ideas and information that I want to share with so many people, both in the industry and the community!” stated an enthused Rocchio. “It was awesome to share the same passion for credit unions with so many others that want to make a difference. I have been in the credit union industry for 12 1/2 years and this training is by far the best training I have received. I highly recommend the training to all staff members, board of directors and affiliates,” Rocchio emphasized.
Crystal Rocchio (left) and Rachael Graham
Team Projects and Curriculum
DE Training provides critical lessons in cooperative principles, credit union philosophy and international development issues while incorporating challenges credit unions face today. During the recent week-long program, participants were involved in group exercises, field trips, discussions with speakers from around the credit union system, and are required to complete team projects proposing solutions for credit unions to help alleviate or eliminate challenging situations in any given area. For this class’ final case studies, participants worked through and presented solutions to critical issues that included student loan debt, board development and recruiting including the debate over compensation, building microfinance programs in developing countries, credit union solutions to predatory lending, the increasing issue of homelessness in America, and rejuvenating a stagnant credit union.
“We congratulate both Rachel and Crystal upon earning their CUDE designation,” stated League President Ken Watts. “Both have a real passion for credit unions and the cooperative principles that make them unique.” Watts explained that the scholarships to DE training ties-in with the League’s mission to promote the credit union system history and philosophy to a new generation of future credit union leaders.
The mission of the Credit Union Development Education (DE) program is to promote credit unions’ social responsibility and domestic and international development through interactive adult education and professional networking. By linking credit unions’ past and present, the DE program brings renewed relevance to credit unions’ seven cooperative principles and the philosophy of “People Helping People.”